Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,129, Alpheus Foster, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Foster, Alphens Esther
W. 21,129
CONTENTS

Reported,
Connecticut 6894
Esther Foster, widow of Connecticut Alpheus Foster dec'd who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 15 November 1837, of Saybrook, in the State of Connecticut; who was a Piv. in the Company commanded by Captain Lang of the Reg't commanded by Col. Whistler in the Conn't, line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars Cts per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Febr y 1842, and sent to J. C. Palmer Esq r East Haddam, Conn Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 Pensional allowance ending
100
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Geo. S. Woodruff Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1 Page 180

11286
Connecticut
Alpheus Foster
of Gaylord in the State of Conn who was a Private in the Conn - commanded by Captain Gay of the Regt - commanded by Col M c Lean in the Conn line for 9 Mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 30 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Augt. 1832 and due to Mr. F. G. Foster
Arrears to the 4th of Ma' 32 $ 60 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep' 32 15 $ 75
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo. S. Stiles Clerk Book 5. Vol. 3, Page 13.

Nov 30 -
Alpheus Foster
19335
✓
adm
9 mo. pre
30 $
Nov 30 19335

State of Connecticut,
Middlesex County
Probate Court of Saybrook in S. County
On this tenth - day of Sept r 1832 - personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate holden at Saybrook, in cause for the Probate Court of Saybrook, in the County of Middlesex, & State of Connecticut. The same being a Court of Record
now sitting, Asaph Foster - - - - - a resident of Saybrook in the County of Middlesex - and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy one - years, who being first sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
Asaph Foster
That he was born in the Town of Cheshire, in the County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut. removed from there when he was as small child to the Town of East Haddam, and lived there until he was 22. or 23. when he removed to Saybrook in said County, where he has lived ever since. He is Seventy one years of age, the 7 th day of Sept r 1832., but there is no record of his age, that he is aware of -
That he enlisted in the month of April, of 1778. he thinks, to serve in the War of the Revolution. That he enlisted at East Haddam aforesaid, in S. County, and to serve for nine months. The recruiting officer under who, he enlisted was Joshua Gates of said East Haddam. That the said Asaph Foster immediately joined the company in which he served at New London in the State of Connecticut, - and remained with said company, and stationed at that place, until some time in August, following, he thinks, when the Regiment, and said company, and Asaph Foster marched to Long-Island. There, through Providence, When they arrived on the Island of Rhode Island, they found a large body of the American Army there, under the command of Genl. Sullivan; he thinks Genl. Green was there also. The British were then lying in New York. The American force including the Regiment & company, in which the Asaph Foster was, lay down within cannon shot of British, a constant firing was kept up - The Americans retreated, & the next day a little before night formed a line, and kept up firing all day. The next night, the Americans retreated off from the

Poland, The Army went in different directions. The said Regiment to which the applicant belonged went on to Pruszków Plain, and lay there a few days, when it was said that the British Fleet was coming in to New London, and said Regiment was ordered to march immediately to that place. & did march part of the way, when they were ordered to return, and did return, back to said Pruszków Plain - remained there a very few days, when the members of the company had liberty to go home, a short time after clothing, and other necessaries, and join the Regiment again at New London. The applicant, & he thinks all the rest of the company did so, & again met, & joined the Regiment at said New London, in about five or six days. The Regiment was stationed a part of the time in the Town, in buildings that had been occupied for stores; and a part of the time on the neck, called Hog Neck, did nothing but keep guard & - This was done at the Light House, and at Goshen Hill, by said Regiment &c. I think there were some other Troops, there from the Eastward. During the firing on Moore Island, as above related, a cannon shot came from the enemy, and went through both sides of a man, stunning, a few rods from the said Foster, and then through one horse, and killed him. That the applicant was discharged in the month of January then following, at said New London, after serving out faithfully the whole of said nine months, according to his said enlistment, as above related. He does not recollect the day of month on which he enlisted, and was discharged, but he knows that he served out the said nine months. The officers of the P. Company in which the said Foster served as aforesaid were - Ser. Maj. Capt. Lieut. Ser. Enf. Joshua Gates - The officers of said Regiment, were Col. Mr. Lemen, or Mr. Lemen - does not recollect certain who the name was spelt - Lieut. Col. Gates. He thinks he does not recollect the names of the other officers - Recollects nothing else.
The applicant says, that he made application for a pension, some years ago, and that his

Application was not allowed because, as he understood, the Regiment in which he served, was not on the continental establishment.
The said Foster further saith that he is a cripple in both knees, so that he cannot stand a quarter of an hour at a time, and has not more than 20. acres.
The said Alpheus Foster hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel Hughes Judge of Probate.
Alpheus Foster
We, William Hodge a clergyman, residing in the town of Seybrook and Samuel Colt residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Alpheus Foster who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel Hughes Judge of Probate.
William Hodge Samuel Colt
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that the Revd William Hodge who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Seybrook and that Samuel Colt who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Seybrook and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Hughes Judge of Probate
I, Richard P Williams Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Seybrook State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alpheus Foster for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this tenth day of September 183 2
Richard P Williams Clerk

Amos Randell
Amos Randell of East Greenwich in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut aged Seventy Six years, - deposeth and saith - That in March last - 1778 - he enlisted at said East Greenwich to serve in the Revolutionary War, according to his recollection for the term of one year - That he joined the Company in which he served at New London in said State - and the said Company then joined the Regiment to which it belonged - That the said Regiment - Company and detachment, marched through Providence in the State of Rhode Island, to the Island of Rhode Island in said State, in the month of August, the said detachment being there - That there was a meeting with the British forces on the said Island, and a sharp contest, until the American Army finally retreated, and the said Regiment came out of encampment on a plain near Providence - That Genl. Sullivan & Genl. Green were both on the Island, at the time of the engagement, he thinks - That the said Regiment soon marched towards New London - then returned - were part of the column to return home on a plain day, to meet again at New London, which they did - and there, and in that vicinity served out the whole term - That the Company in which he served was commanded by Lieut. Col. Capt. - Lieut. Col. & Joshua Gates Esqrs - and that the Regiment was commanded by Mr. Brainerd, he thinks but cannot be confident. Lieut. Col. Gulliver - and Major Gates, he thinks - And the detachment further says, that he now is, and ever since the said March 1778. has been well acquainted with Stephen Foster now of New London - then of said East Greenwich - who had signed the within application for pension That when said detachment, joined the said Company, said Stephen Foster was then there, a member of said Company - that he so continued a member, and private soldier in the same, - that as such he went with & served in said Company at various times, until the month of December following, when he was, according to the

best recollection of the deponent was missed - having served out his time of nine months faithfully, and honorably - The deponent further says that he hath heard the foregoing statement of the said Foster, which is signed by him read, and that he, the deponent believes that it is all true -
Sworn and subscribed before me in open court of Probate this tenth day of September 1882. and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said Amos Randall and that he is a credible witness - Amos Randall
Gideon Rogers of Tyne in the County of Newbern deposeth and saith that he is 71 years of age - that he enlisted, and served in the Company and Regiment, above referred to by Amos Randall in his deposition, and that he served the same length of time in said Company - and he further saith that he has seen the foregoing application of Cephas Foster for pension and that he is not certain that he recollects said Foster, not having seen him from that time to this - That he does not, nor can he, recollect all the members of said company - and the deponent further saith, that the facts as detailed by said Foster in his said application are correct, and that the deponent distinctly recollects the circumstances of the killing of the horse by a cannon shot, as related by said Foster - which circumstances the deponent was well knowing to, at the time - and the deponent further saith that from the account, given by said Foster, taken together he fully believes, that he did belong to said company, and saw them as he stated - and said deponent saith further - that he is well acquainted with Mr. Amos Randall who hath signed the above deposition - that he is a man of strict truth, and that what he says may be depended upon as true - and further he saith not.
Sworn and subscribed before me in open court of Probate this tenth day of September 1882. and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said Gideon Rogers, and that he is a credible witness - Samuel Higham Judge of Probate.
Gideon Rogers

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex Probate District of Saybrook 3/6
On this nineteenth day of August A.D. 1838. personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District of Saybrook, a Court of Record, Esther Foster of the Town of Chester in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut aged Seventy One years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of Dr. Alpheus Foster who was a private in the War of the Revolution in the Connecticut Continental Line and the particulars of his service she does not know. That said Alpheus Foster was a pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832 at the rate of Thirty Dollars per annum and was placed on the pension roll in August 1833. That for a description of his service and in support of her claim she refers to his application and the proofs accompanying the same.
She further declares that she was married to said Alpheus Foster on the sixteenth day of March in the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty Six Six, and that her husband the aforesaid Alpheus Foster died at said Chester on the fifteenth day of November A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Seven; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen Hundred and Ninety Four, to wit at the time above stated, and was married by Rev Richard Ely the pastor of the 2 nd Congregational Church in Saybrook.
Esther Foster Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. Before me and I certify that I am acquainted with said Esther Foster and that she is a credible person - and that the word "Seven" was erased in the 21 st line and "Six" interlined before the same was sworn to and subscribed - Theodosia Spencer Judge

One thousand seven hundred and eighty six March Sixteenth
Marrried Alphens Foster to Ruth Waterhouse both of Saybrook
State of Connecticut } County of Middlesex }
ss. Saybrook August 10. 1838
I Aaron Hovey, Pastor of the second Congregational Church in said Saybrook, do certify that the above is a true copy of the record, made in the hand writing of Rev. Richard Ely late Pastor of said Church, now deceased, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows,
1786
March 16
I Aaron Hovey, above named, depose and say that I hold the offices of Pastor and Clerk of the second Congregational Church in said Saybrook, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church with the exception above named, as certified by me
Aaron Hovey, Pastor & Clerk of said Church —
Sworn before me
day and year above written
Obadiah Spencer
Judge of Probate
for the District of Saybrook

19335 Old case rejected Alpheus Foster 6, C,
The papers in this case were returned to sister Allen of Middleton - Connecticut 25 th March 1819
Return this i
am
S Ingham

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Alpheus Foster 6t
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Apr 1778 until Dec 1780 2 9 Private Col. Sarg. Willson Skirmish R.I. Providence R.I. He born in Middlesex entered in said county and now lives in S county Two surviving witnesses prove his service Certificate of clergymen and a citizen  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
has made a former application

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190
7.21.129
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Alpheus Foster a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1778 9 mos. Pvt. Lev Lay McLellan Conn.          
Battles engaged in, Rhode Island.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, East Haddam, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 10, 1832 - Cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Saybrook, Middlesex Co., Conn.
Age at date of application, b. Aug 7, 1761 Chatham, Middlesex Co., Conn.
Remarks: Soldier died in Chester, Middlesex Co., Conn. Nov. 15, 1837. Mar. Mar. 16, 1786
Ester Waterhouse or Watson, (Christian name erroneously given in church records
as Ruth) b. Aug. 15, 1766. She was al. pens. on an apl. rec. Aug. 13,
1838, while a res. of Chester, Conn. No further family data.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1912 Feb. 17. Hist. 15 Theodore Foster
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21129 Esther Foster wid of Alpheus Foster Pris Rev war
Act July 4th  1838 Index: Vol. 16 , Page 249
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Chester, Conn. Feb. 10 1912
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir -
In the earlier Historical records of Connecticut is this record:
"Alpheus Foster, pension granted - 1832, Middlesex County, Conn."
Can you give me whatever and all the information concerning the above Alpheus Foster, which may be on the U.S. war and pension records, place of birth and date - any war record if such appears. I will gladly pay any expenses incurred. Yours Truly. Theodore Foster Chester, Conn.

V 316
Act 7 July, 1838.
Ltr. to J. C. Palmer, Sept. 8, 1838.
Act 7 July 1838

East Woodstock Conn Nov 30. 1842
Dr Sir:
I desire to be informed whether Elias Norton of Boston Mass, who has applied for a Pension as Surgeon's mate has yet received a certificate, and also, whether the Widows who draw pensions under the 5 years act whose husbands served during a portion of the 5 years, are entitled to pay for the whole 5 years, as Temperance Smith & Eunice Plumb of this place were cut short on that account, and Mrs Smith has received a line from Mr Ray at Washington that she is entitled to $160 which he will collect for her if she will forward him a power of attorney -
I also enclose further proof in support of the application of Esther Foster made in 1838, to which by your answer of Sept 8 th 1839, it appears that you did not find that Col McClellan's Regt was on duty for a period of more than one month during that year at any one time - The proof enclosed shows that the Co to which Foster was attached, to wit. Lee's Lays, acted as Coast Guards and active service of the Col was not required -
I have delayed forwarding this proof to get affidavits but can hear of no living witness to the facts -
Hon J. L. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions Washington
Your Obedt Servt J. C. Palmer
A. B. Would it be of any service to take affidavits of the oldest inhabitants as to their opinion of the time of the marriage of Anna Simmons, her husband's declaration, the probability of her story, her character for truth etc? J. C. P.

East Wadsworth Ct Aug 14. 1838.
Dear J. L. Edwards.
Dr Sir. I have the honor to transmit the application of Esther Foster for a pension - You will perceive that Rev Mr Ely who married the applicant to Alpheus Foster has made a mistake in the given name - At the time of the marriage he had but recently come into the parish and was unacquainted the persons married - Judge Spencer who took the Deposition of Rev Mr Hovey told me that Mr Hovey discovered the error immediately on turning to the record as did he himself - A great number of persons in Chester confirm the marriage to Esther Waterhouse not Ruth and Mr Foster's relatives who reside in this town which was his native place agree with them, and they also all concur in saying that Alpheus Foster has never been married to any other person - You will also observe that the word "seven" is erased and "six" interlined - When I drew her declaration last week she informed me that she was married when she was twenty years old and she thought on the sixteenth of March 1786, that she was now only seventy one, I made the subtraction and told her it must be 1787. and so wrote it, but yesterday I called on her before Judge Spencer arrived and before either of us knew he had found the record of her marriage and she was positive as to the day and year, and her explanation was that she was married in the spring when she was coming twenty, and that her birth day was the first part of August - That she would be seventy two years old in August Instant the 15 th day if I mistake not - This statement corresponds with the record and with the memory of the Deponents one of whom Joseph Clark said he worked

for an Mitchell at the time for three months to April 1 st and on referring to his book he found entries of his work in March 1886.
There is not a doubt on my mind but that all the facts in the application are as stated, and they can be verified by many witnesses to my own knowledge - Any thing further which you may think prudent requires should be done, if the enclosed is not satisfactory shall be promptly attended to.
Your Obedt Servt
J. C. Palmer
M. A. S. Esther had the Pension Certificate in her possession of said Alpheus and papers were yesterday executed to enable her to draw the money, which will be forwarded to Margaret immediately -
J. C. P.

Thereby certify that at the February Session of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania - in 1778 - an act for raising two Brigades for the defense of this State was passed in which it was enacted to forthwith raise by voluntary enlistment six battalions to be held in constant readiness to march upon any term of duty where the militia of this State were liable to be called - Each battalion to consist of eight companies & each company of sixty men including officers each Field Officer to command a company & said said Battalions to be formed into two Brigades, each Brigade under a Brigadier General. The non commission Officers & soldiers in said Brigades, who should furnish themselves with a good gun & bayonet to be allowed ten shillings for a gun & bayonet, two shillings for a cartouch box, sixteen shillings for a blanket & two shillings for a knapsack - And each able bodied & effective private who furnished himself as aforesaid, to be entitled to a bounty of three pounds, ten shillings exclusive of what was before allowed, and twenty shillings for calendar month during his continuance in said battalion when not on duty - and when called on duty into actual service to be entitled to the same pay, wages & rations as the continental troops

raised in this State had raised - and if called a while serving out of this State, to the same refreshments on the same Terms as said continental Troops & their Polls exempted from all Taxes during their continuance in 3 Battalions - and it was enacted that said Battalions should be kept up until the first day of March 1779 unless sooner discharged
In Testimony of which I have hereunto affixed the seal of this State, at the office of the Secretary of State, in Hartford May 25 th AD 1841
Noyel P. Himmann Secretary of State Comptroller's Office
Hartford May 26 1841
I certify that on application for evidence of the services of Alpheus Foster who claims service in the Revolutionary War under Captain Lee Lay Col. Samuel McClellan Regiment in 1778 That I have examined the Books of papers remaining in this office and find in the Records of the Govt Council of Safety under date of June 15 1778 - the following. Resolved, that the Six Battalions ordered to be raised by the General Assembly at their session in February 1778 be reduced to two Battalions and that the Companies be properly formed out of the whole according to the following plan viz That those in the first, fourth and Sixth Brigade of Militia in this State be formed into one Battalion and that they be under the command of Major Genl. Col. Samuel Smith & Lieut. Col. [?]

and Eleazar Curtis Esq. Major and that those raised in the Second, Third & Fifth Brigades of Militia be formed into one Battalion and be under the Command of Samuel McClelland Esq. Colonel Nathan Galloway Esq. Lt. Col. and Eleazar Curtis and Abraham Tyle Esq. Major - That all of said Field Officers of said be continued in service during the time they were engaged for, unless sooner discharged - and that all of the rest of the Field Officers of said Six Battalions be dismissed from said service agreeable to Act of Assembly passed in May last - Resolved, that the Field Officers be excused from taking the Command of Companies as Captains - and the following Commissioned Officers be continued in service and in the Arrangements as follows viz Second Battalion Lieut Col Captain Phineas Pack & Lieut Samuel Capron & Lieut and Joshua Gates Ensign of one Company - and under date of June 9 1778 Voted That the Colonels or Chief Commanding Officers of the Six Battalions raised to be raised by the General Assembly in July last by voluntary enlistment for the defence of this the United States, be and they are hereby raised and directed to procure a sufficient number of Ox Teams and Drivers to drive said Teams for the Transportation of Provisions & Baggage belonging to said Battalion from here to Fort Mifflin General Gates army as aforesaid, and that they take care to employ no such Teams and Drivers but such as are willing to engage to continue in the service of the United States to be under the direction of the Quarter Master General and to continue in that service so long as they shall stipulate for and to be instituted to the same Wages and allowances as others employed in the same service by the United States - I further find on Pay Table Book under the Head of War - Dr  1779 Nov 29 To. Drw on acct in favor of Captain Lee Lash Company McClelland. Asst Col. Genl. - L 1990.15.2

Corresponding Entry in Marshall Receipts under the following Head. Expense of Coast Guard Port at Auckland 1779 Nov 30 Capt. Lee Lay his Co. M. London £1.990.15.2a
Henry Nelson Camp 11

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss Chester August 13 th 1838.
I Gideon Watson of said Chester, formerly called Gideon Waterhouse, aged sixty five dozen and say That I am the brother of Esther Foster, formerly Esther Waterhouse, who was the wife of Alpheus Foster late of said Chester deceased who was a Revolutionary Pensioner at the rate of thirty dollars per annum. That in the month of March Seven hundred and Eighty Six, said Esther Waterhouse was married to said Alpheus Foster by Reverend Richard Ply then minister of the 2 nd Congregational Church in Saybrook in which town said Esther and Alpheus both lived, that said Alpheus was never married to any other person that I ever heard of, and that he died at Chester on the 15 th November A.D. 1837. That said Esther lived with him from the time of her marriage in 1786 to his death in Saybrook and Chester near by me, and that said Esther is now living in Chester and has not married since the death of said Alpheus but still remains his widow and is of full age and unmarried. That I was present and saw them married at my father's house in Saybrook.
And further with not - Gideon Watson
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that I am acquainted with said Gideon Watson and that he is a credible person
John C Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss Chester August 13 th A.D. 1838.
I Joseph Clark of said Chester aged seventy six years. do hereby and say that for more than fifty years past I have been well acquainted with Alpheus Foster late of Chester deceased who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, that said Alpheus Foster is the only person by that name that has resided in Chester or Ledybrook since my recollection and he died in Chester the fifteenth day of November A.D. Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Seven - That in the month of March Seven hundred and Eighty six the said Alpheus Foster was married by Rev. Richard Ely minister of the 2 nd Congregational Church in Ledybrook to Esther Waterhouse sometimes written Watrous; that I was present at the wedding and saw them married - That I have known said Esther from my earliest recollection, and know her to be the person, that said Alpheus Foster was married to, and that he was never married to any other person - That said Esther is now living in said Chester and has not married since the death of her husband the said Alpheus, and always lived with him the said Alpheus after the marriage which took place at the time aforesaid until his death, near by me and in my neighborhood - And further the Deponent saith not -
Joseph Clark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that I am acquainted with said Joseph Clark and that he is a credible person
John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace.

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss Chester August 13 th A.D. 1838.
I Pomeroy Watrous of said Chester aged fifty three years depon and say that I have been well acquainted with Alpheus Foster late of said Chester deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner from my earliest recollection, that said Alpheus Foster died at said Chester on the fifteenth day of November Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Seven and left Esther Foster his Widow with whom I have also been acquainted since my earliest recollection, and who has for more than forty years past lived with said Alpheus as his wife. That said Esther Foster is still living in said Chester and has not married since the death of her said husband the said Alpheus Foster but still remains his widow and is sole single and unmarried - and further the Deponent saith not -
Pomeroy Watrous
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me and I certify that I am acquainted with said Pomeroy Watrous and that he is a credible person
John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace

V. 316 ✓
Rother Foster-
Conw.
Connt.
act 7. July 38
McClellans Ref. was bms. in Service under act of Feb 7 38.
adm d
Emopri
20 $
H. Palmer E. Haddam Con.

State of Connecticut - County of Middlesex
Probate District of Saybrook
Esq
I Henry W. Spence Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Saybrook Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Esther Foster for a pension, that Obadiah Spencer is the Judge of said Court and is duly commissioned and qualified, and has been Judge of said Court since June 20 th 1834, and that the signatures to the Certificate on the Declaration of Esther Foster, and to the Certificate on the Disposition of Aaron Kelsey, purporting to be his an genuine, and that John C. Palmer is none and since the 20 th June 1834, has been a Justice of the Peace in and for Middlesex County and that the signatures to the Certificate on the Disposition of Joseph Clark
Gideon Watson and Deborah Watson hereto annexed purporting to be his and genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this thirteenth day of August A.D. 1838.
Henry W. Spence Clerk

I Richard P Williams Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Seymour in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut - do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alpheus Foster therein named for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Seymour in said District this 22 nd day of June A.D. 1833 -
Richard P Williams Clerk -